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Manufacturer NewerTech
Type: Power/Charging
Reviewed: June 18, 2012
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Package Contents:
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What We Liked: What We Didn't: The Final Score: (?) |
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NewerTech Power2U AC Wall Outlet with USB ports
Installation of the Power2U wall outlet is a lot easier than I expected. An instruction sheet is included and if you are still unsure of the procedure, NewerTech has an installation video on its website. Safety is always key, so make sure the breaker is turned off before touching the power outlets. Once you have removed the old outlet, simply follow the photos on the instruction sheet and you’ll be done in about 20 minutes. Easy peasy. I’ve been puzzled for years about ground plugs. Does the ground plug go on the top or the bottom? I spoke with a couple of electricians and their answer was interesting. Even though the vast majority of grounded plugs are installed with the ground down, many electricians say it should be installed on the top. Apparently installing grounded plugs this way helps prevent a short if someone would happen to drop something on the plug. If the ground is on top, whatever is dropped on it is grounded. Now, I admittedly don’t know much about electrical wiring, but the explanation seems to make good safety sense. But the other outlets in my house have it down so guess what my wife wants me to do.
They only real drawback to the Power2U is its size. It requires every bit of a standard 16 cubic inch electrical box. Thankfully, smaller boxes are not very common aside from specific RV and other special applications. For the vast majority of homes, the Power2U is a great addition. The NewerTech Power2U is a surprisingly inexpensive solution for any tech savvy home owner. Its patented design and power saving features make it an excellent choice for your everyday USB charging needs.
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Have you ever come home from work and realized you left your iPhone’s AC adapter at the office? I’ve done that too many times. Thankfully I have several backup USB cables, but those AC adapters can be expensive. What about other USB devices? NewerTech has come up with a solution to our USB hyper-connected world: the Power2U AC wall outlet with built-in USB ports… and it’s actually affordable!
The Power2U is available in 4 standard colors of white, black, ivory, and light almond. It features an intelligent Smart Power design that only outputs enough charging power to meet the requirements of the device that is attached. The specially designed spring-loaded Safety Shutters completely turn off power to the USB ports when a connecting cable is removed. The Power2U is also the only UL/CUL Listed E339607 solution for in-wall, home-safe use in United States & Canada. The patented design and excellent features of the Power2U are what puts it above competing devices.